mr. w—— was not much surprised, after what frank legare had said, when he received a visit from the father of that young gentleman, nor astonished when in the office mr. legare asked him if he would not send for hattie butler, for he had a question to ask her in regard to the book which he held in his hand, one of those recently bound.
“i hope the book is bound right,” said mr. w——, after having told his foreman to send hattie butler to the office.
“oh, yes, it is bound perfectly, and partially illustrated,” said mr. legare, smiling. “i wish to make inquiry in regard to the illustration.”
the next moment hattie entered the office, calm, completely self-possessed and lady-like.
“mr. legare wishes to make some inquiry of you, miss hattie,” said mr. w——. “take a seat. i will leave you with him.”
“not so, my dear sir—remain,” said mr. legare, promptly. “i have no questions to ask of this young lady which you should not hear. i found a drawing in this book, and i am very anxious to know who made the sketch. it is an illustration of martin luther’s dream.”
a slight flush arose on hattie’s cheek when he opened the book and pointed to the pencil sketch.
“i meant no wrong, sir,” she said; “it was a careless fancy, done in a few moments in our dinner hour, when we are at rest to eat or exercise as we[74] please. i had read the dream, had my pencil in my pocket, saw the blank page, and made the sketch without a thought that any one would ever notice it. i often draw little fancies like that when i have nothing else to do. i have a portfolio of them at my room.”
“i will buy every one of them at your own price, young lady. i conceive myself to be a connoisseur in art, and i assure you that you draw like a master. you have talent, great talent.”
“really, sir, i fear you put too high an estimate on my poor efforts. i once took a few lessons when i was with my dear mother, but the crabbed italian who taught me said my fingers were stiff, and i had no eye for lines of grace.”
“he was a fool. those angels almost speak in real life-likeness. i must see your portfolio and have the first privilege of purchasing if any or all of your drawings are for sale.”
“i hardly think, sir, they are of any value. but i will bring my portfolio here to-morrow, and leave it with mr. w——, so that you can look it through at your leisure.”
“thank you. you are very kind.”
“have you anything further to say, sir? i am in a hurry; a part of the work i am now collating is on the sewing-bench, and the sewers will want the rest.”
“nothing further,” answered mr. legare, and hattie hurried away to her work, doubtless pleased to know that another of her talents had become known and appreciated.
“have you never discovered that girl’s wonderful talent with the pencil before, mr. w——?” asked the man of wealth.
[75]
“never, sir; it is as great a surprise to me to-day as our mutual discovery of her proficiency in languages.”
“she is a wonderful girl.”
“a perfect mystery, sir—a perfect mystery. that she is a born lady, looks, actions, language, all testify. that she has been a willing, steady, silent, humble toiler here for over two years, i know. i feel as if it was unjust to her to remain in such a lowly position; but i know not how she can be removed from it.”
“i do,” said mr. legare.
“ah! if not too bold, may i ask your plan?” said mr. w——, turning very red in the face.
“simply this: i have a widowed sister-in-law. she is a wealthy lady, of almost angelic disposition. she is childless. i will get her to adopt this young lady. she can give her a brilliant home, and a chance to enjoy all her tastes and talents. i am sure, from the character which you give of her, miss butler will more than justify the adoption.”
“it would indeed be a generous and a noble act, and could not be bestowed on a more worthy object,” said mr. w——.
and a sigh, which even he could hardly have accounted for, followed his remark.
“she is staying at my house now, and i will have her call at this girl’s boarding-house to see her,” said mr. legare, “or perhaps it would be better she should call here?”
“would it not be easier for the lady to communicate her offer by letter?” suggested mr. w——.
“it might be easier, but hardly so satisfactory as it would be for them to see each other, and judge, as most people will from an interview, how one would[76] like the other. but i’ll tell you what to do, w——, sound the girl on the subject, and see what her feelings are, and let me know. then it will be time enough to decide how to bring on a meeting between her and mrs. emory, my sister-in-law.”
“all right, mr. legare. i will endeavor to disclose your plan to miss butler in as delicate a manner as possible. i know she is very high-strung and independent, and she will shrink from incurring obligations unless she feels that she can render an equivalent.”
“she could. my sister-in-law is a sad and lonely woman. some secret sorrow, which her friends could never fathom, has laid heavily on her heart for years. it makes her so melancholy at times that we have almost feared for her reason. a sweet, companionable girl, intellectual and gifted, would be a blessing in her lonely home.”
“it would seem so. can i speak of the lady and her circumstances?” asked w——.
“certainly. say all that i have said to miss butler, and add that i feel a fatherly interest in her welfare. were i childless, i would adopt her myself. but i have two dear children, a son and daughter, as you know, and they would think it treason to them were i to invite another to my home.”
“and who could blame them?” added mr. w——. “well, i will approach the young lady on the matter, and let you know what she thinks about it the next time you call.”
“which will be very soon,” said mr. legare, now taking his leave.
“jupiter tonans! i see a way now which will make even my proud sisters come to my views. the[77] poor shop-girl, once adopted in a wealthy and aristocratic family, will not be objectionable to them, if indeed in that position she is ever recognized as having been here. i will persuade her to accept this adoption, and then, if it be possible to persuade her to accept me as a husband, i shall be the happiest man alive; for i cannot deny in my own heart that i love the sweet girl even where she is, and as she is, and had i only my own feelings to consult, i would tell her so, and offer her my hand within the hour.”
thus soliloquized mr. w——, while she who so occupied his thoughts went steadily on with her task, thinking, while so engaged, of nothing else.
and he was studying whether it would do to approach her mind on this subject of adoption there in the bindery, or at home in her boarding-house, where possibly his interview, which might be lengthy, would not be so noticed as it would be if held in the shop or his office.
for he knew he could not be too careful, either for her or for himself, in a world where nine-tenths of the people are censorious and full of suspicion, and the other tenth as ready to believe evil as good, no matter whence it comes.
so he decided, having her address, as well as that of every other employee, on his books, to call upon her at her boarding-house.
so he sat down at his desk and wrote these words:
“miss hattie:—friends who feel a deep interest in your welfare, who appreciate your clear intellect, your excellent education, your talent, and your graces of person and manner, have deputed me to make a proposition alike honorable to you and nobly generous in them—a proposition which will remove[78] you from the world of toil and care to a position of affluence and independence, without compromising your dignity or lessening you in your esteem. to convey the proposition, it is necessary i should hold a brief interview with you, and it seems to me it would be more consistent and proper for your position and mine that i should hold the interview at your residence or boarding-house. therefore, i will call there this evening, at eight o’clock, to see you, in the presence of friends, if you think it necessary, or alone, if you will trust in the sincerity and honor of one who would wish to rank as your best and most unselfish friend.
“edward w——.”
after reading this note carefully over, and finding nothing to change in it, he sealed and directed it, and going to hattie’s table, just before it was time to leave off work, laid the note before her, and said:
“do me a favor, miss hattie. this note is on important business. but do not read it until you go home.”
she bowed her head in assent.
